Grewia tenax

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several distinct regions of the African continent. Within Northern Africa, its range extends through the territories of Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. It can also be found inhabiting the arid landscapes of Western Sahara. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species is documented in Burkina. Consequently, its distribution spans from the Mediterranean coast to the tropical savannahs.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Grewia tenaxta is characterized by its adaptation to diverse landscape types, where it is frequently found inhabiting dry wooded grasslands, thornbush, and grassland ecosystems, occasionally becoming a dominant species within these environments. This plant demonstrates a significant vertical distribution across various topographical gradients, occupying an elevational range that begins at 520 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

520 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry wooded grassland, thorbush and grassland, sometimes dominant

Life history

The life history of Grewia tenaqua is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a plant that undergoes seasonal changes, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically. Regarding its structural growth and survival strategies, the species can be classified under different life form categories depending on its developmental stage and environmental context, specifically manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a chamaephyte.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Grewia tenera is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that does not exhibit climbing or epiphytic behavior, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 4 m, with recorded maximum heights reaching up to 3.048037064 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Grewia tenaxt is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutrient acquisition strategies. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, which is typical for many woody species in its genus. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Grewia tenera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering pattern and a reliance on biological vectors for successful fertilization. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable across different environments. This process is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing insects as primary pollinators, with bees playing a highly significant role in the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a range of sizes; while the average seed mass is approximately 0.045175 g, individual seeds can vary significantly, with a minimum mass of 0.0063 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.08877 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.08877 g

Seed mass mean:

0.045175 g

Seed mass min:

0.0063 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Grewia tenax has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of food science

Chemicals

Grewia tenax has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Grewia tenax has 12 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Grewia tenax has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include liver diseases, malaria.

Most Reported Uses